Lucille Ball
One of the most powerful personalities in the world of television, Lucille Ball virtually defined an era of entertainment. Along the way, she established herself as a brilliant comedienne, built a small Hollywood empire, and even shot down a few antiquated notions about women. Of course, we hardly noticed any of that because we were too busy laughing. Maybe that's why, fifty years later, we still love Lucy.
One of the most important things that Lucy showed us was that women could be funny and attractive all at once-a groundbreaking concept for the day. This was particularly admirable given that Lucy was beautiful enough to be a conventional film star, and, in fact had become a Hollywood movie sensation as "Queen of the B-Movies." But she shrugged off the persona of a cool beauty, instead reveling in the chance to get a laugh. She was never afraid to look foolish, silly, or even ugly for the sake of a good gag and her public loved her for it.
Don't let the clowning fool you-Lucy was also one of the smartest women in the entertainment industry. She and her husband, Desi Arnaz, built their own entertainment empire (Desilu Productions) during a time when most entertainers were chained to the studio or network systems.
She ran production companies (Lucille Ball productions came after Desilu), created more classic television (including The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy), raised two children (Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz IV), starred on Broadway, and acted in a total of 80 movies. She won four Emmy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Citation from the Kennedy Center, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Excerpted from the book Cool Women with permission of publisher, Girl Press.
Learn More About Lucille Ball
Time Magazine Top 100 Entertainers
http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/lucy.html
Lucille Ball was one of Time Magazine's top 100 entertainers. Read more about her life in Time's profile.
Lucy Library
http://www.lucylibrary.com/
For fans of Lucille Ball, this site includes an I Love Lucy Episode guide, video and audio clips, photos, features from series creator.
Divas: Lucille Ball
http://home2.planetinternet.be/verjans/Acting_Divas/Lucille_Ball.htm
Is Lucy your favorite diva? Read her story, see her personal quotes, learn Lucy trivia, find out her nickname, and check out the gallery of Lucy photos and memorabilia.
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